Yep, me agian.

I am looking on this site that sells fake plants (and just about everything actually). I think the prices are pretty good. 8 inch fake plants (plastic and silk) for less than $4.00 a lot of different styles. Some are even cheaper like about $2.00. That beats the petstores right?

Anyway getting off track here--- My original question is background or no background? I see that they also sell many different backgrounds, and some do look pretty cool, but I wonder if it would take away from my tank rather than adding to it. Would it come off as more cheesy and less real looking? What are your opinions on backgrounds? Do they make your tank look smaller? Does having no background open them up more and make them appear larger?

Thanks!

Backgrounds is something I've looks into a lot. There are loads available but most of them are bloody awful in my opinion. I can't see the point of having their ancient ruins of Greece inside the tank. Anyway depends on what you want to go for, and how much you want to pay. They do some 3-D backgrounds that look really nice, however, these need to be attached inside the tank and can cost a lot of money. Personally, I prefer to go for a dark background, very dark blue, or black. It actually gives the tank depth and makes it look a lot bigger.

Ok, I like the idea of my tank looking bigger and having depth! They offer a nice blue background for $23.99. Now for another question- do these backgrounds stay attached pretty well? Do they tend to come off in the corners? I understand that it probably depends on the quality, but in general how well to they stay attached? I assume these would go on the inside of the tank? Or, do they go on the outside of the back of the tank?

Not sure now which background you mean exactly, but if it's a poster like thing, those are attached to the outside of the tank, just like those with pics of plants or rocks. Once there are algae building up or so, you'd of course see less of the background anyway or have to clean the back glass. It might be cheaper to just paint the backside of the tank from the outside, or to choose whatever coloured paper, foil or cardbox to attach to the backside.
3D backgrounds usually go on the inside of the tank and often have to be siliconed to the glass before adding water.

Else I agree with Penn on the effects of darker backgrounds. No background at all is also an option, but in case you got a coloured wallpaper or one with patterns, it might look very unnatural.

Thanks metoo. That gives me something to think about.

I agree with OFL dark backgrounds make your tank look more natural.

one of my tanks have got a dark tinted glass on the back and it looks nice.you could buy some window tint film(the ones they tint your car windows with) and stick it on the outside of the tank.

these tinting films are pretty durable,cheap & easy to install.

this is just my opinion as i too dont liketo have things like the eifel tower in my tank.

On my 2 cichlid tanks i have attached a blue background to the outside of the back of the tank. My discus tank had a mirrored back (it is the back piece of glass) and its very effective. Unfortunately it has to be made into the tank

out of all the ones ive tryd i realy like the 3D backgrounds, the ones that look like rocks n caves make the tank look alot larger.
if u dont want to spend much or install one in your tank then dark backgrounds look ok..
a dark background brings out the colors of your fish more and make the fish stand out more imo....

and i also find that tapeing them on the back doesnt seem to stay very well but if u use 3M contact spray adhesive ( very lightly) they look alot cleaner loking and they never fall off..

tiellover ~ thanks for asking the question I've be wondering the same thing and from the feedback here it has helped me make yet another decision in my up and coming new tank setup.

Thanks everyone.

I think the 3D backgrounds are quite nice ... and you could make one yourself, though I am sure it is not as easy as buying a pre-made deal

I didn't like the plant ones and removed it. I did the black for a while, and got a bit tired of it as well. I also done aluminum foil for a bit and liked it, but later removed it

I like the idea of window tint, darkens the background, still can see through it. Also, if you are certain you want a particular color forever, painting is pretty much maintenance free (just be careful of where power filters rest against it).

A big advantage of a background is hiding the wires/filters.


As of now, I just prefer no background. I never scrape the back (though remarkably free of algae). I figure, let the Oscar see out of the back, it most likely gives it the appearance of more space and room. I know if I was trapped in a box, I would like to see out as many directions as possible ;